I am available for book signings and to give talks at libraries, historical societies, fraternal organizations, schools and other groups. Contact me for details or to book an event.
The True Story of The Woman Hobo
In 1908, a pair of newlyweds find themselves unemployed, ill and living in a vermin-infested flophouse in Chicago, where they had fled after the San Francisco earthquake. The young bride trades their last belongings for a green tandem bicycle and persuades her husband to ride 2,000 miles back to their hometown in sunny California. She keeps a journal about their trip and the people who help (or hinder) them along the way. In 1917, “The Adventures of a Woman Hobo” by Ethel Lynn was published by George H. Doran Company. It is an engaging, amusing and sometimes heart-wrenching memoir about the couple’s cross-country trip by tandem bicycle, horse-drawn wagon and train boxcar. Evidence suggests that it is also largely fabricated. Join historian and writer Heather Cole as she shares both highlights from Ethel Lynn’s book and her own adventures uncovering the truth behind the fascinating story of The Woman Hobo.
On the Road with the Virginia Presidents
This is an engaging armchair travel presentation about the eight Virginia-born presidents and the sites that shaped their lives. We will travel the state — from Staunton to Charles City and Wytheville to Winchester — to (virtually) visit the homes and historic sites of the Virginia presidents and talk about how historical interpretation at these sites has changed over the years. Attendees will learn a bit about the presidents’ lives, take a peek inside their homes and get ideas for their next history road trip. The talk is about 45 minutes, followed by Q&A and a book signing.
“Heather is an engaging speaker who makes historical topics come to life for audiences, who enjoyed her talk and left with great stories and new knowledge of our Virginia history.”
Zachary Elder, director, Massanutten Regional Library
On the Road with the Ohio Presidents
This is an engaging armchair travel presentation about the seven Ohio-born presidents and the historic sites that tell their stories. Attendees will learn a bit about the presidents’ lives; take a peek inside their homes, libraries and museums; and get ideas for their next history road trip. The talk is about 45 minutes, followed by Q&A and a book signing.
“Our audience thoroughly enjoyed Heather’s engaging presentation on Virginia’s presidents, and we were delighted to welcome her back to speak on the Ohio presidents. Both talks were informative, lively, and enthusiastically received by all who attended.”
Robin Von Seldeneck, President/CEO, Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum
Born in the Buckeye State: Stories of the Ohio Presidents
The five decades between the end of the Civil War and the Roaring Twenties saw seven Ohioans elected to the White House. While leading the nation through this pivotal time in American history, the Ohio-born presidents also led private lives with private battles: three died in office and others suffered through political scandals and family trauma. In this engaging talk, I’ll share some of these lesser-known stories from the lives of our nation’s leaders. The talk is about 45 minutes, followed by Q&A and a book signing.
The Harrison Presidents
There is only one grandfather-grandson presidential pair in US history: William Henry Harrison, 9th president of the US, and Benjamin Harrison, 23rd president of the United States. In this talk, I’ll share stories of the two Harrison presidents and the themes that ran through both of their lives: military service, devotion to family and duty to nation. The talk is about 30 minutes, followed by Q&A and a book signing.
“There were rave reviews from all that have heard your presentations.”
Beth Pappas, vice-president, National Society of the U.S. Daughters of 1812 & Preservation Botetourt, Inc.
I have given history talks for the following, and more:
Heather S. Cole 